投(な)げ銭(せん)

なげせん
noun, suru verb
online tipping, virtual tip
1. online tipping, virtual tip
Monetary donations given to content creators during live streams or to support their work, typically through platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or Japanese services.
配信者(はいしんしゃ)に投(な)げ銭(せん)をした。
I tipped the streamer.
投(な)げ銭(せん)で月(つき)に10万円(じゅうまんえん)稼(かせ)ぐ配信者(はいしんしゃ)もいる。
Some streamers earn 100,000 yen a month from tips.
2. thrown coins (traditional)
The original meaning: coins thrown to street performers or into offering boxes at shrines and temples.
大道芸人(だいどうげいにん)に投(な)げ銭(せん)を入(い)れた。
I threw some coins to the street performer.

ETYMOLOGY: 投(な)げる (to throw) + 銭(せん) (coin/money). Originally referred to coins thrown to performers or into offering boxes.

MODERN USAGE:

In the 2010s-2020s, 投(な)げ銭(せん) became the standard Japanese term for online tipping on streaming platforms. It covers features like:

  • スーパーチャット (Super Chat on YouTube)
  • 投(な)げ銭(せん) features on Japanese platforms
  • Donations on Twitch and similar services

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 投(な)げ銭(せん)をする/する (to tip)
  • 投(な)げ銭(せん)を送(おく)る (to send a tip)
  • 投(な)げ銭(せん)をもらう(貰|もら)う (to receive tips)
  • 投(な)げ銭(せん)文化(ぶんか) (tipping culture)

RELATED TERMS:

  • スーパーチャット/スパチャ (Super Chat)
  • 配信(はいしん) (live streaming)
  • 配信者(はいしんしゃ) (streamer)
  • 投(な)げる (to throw, also used alone for tipping)
  • 課金(かきん)する (to spend money on digital content)

Related Words

Related: 配信(はいしん) (streaming)
general
Added 2026.1.17 23:41 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06444_nagesen